Southampton captain Jack Stephens will serve an additional two-match suspension after already missing three games following his red card against Manchester United.
Stephens was sent off by referee Stuart Attwell for a dangerous challenge on Alejandro Garnacho in the 79th minute of his side’s 3-0 home loss.
The 30-year-old was banned for three matches for that red card but he has now been hit with another punishment for his ‘improper conduct’ after he was dismissed.
He used abusive and insulting language towards referee Attwell and fourth official Gavin Ward.
Stephens said to Ward: ‘You f****** little c***.’ He then went back onto the field of play towards a group of his players.
Southampton captain Jack Stephens saw red after fouling Man United’s Alejandro Garnacho
Stephens (right) verbally insulted officials Stuart Attwell (left) and Gavin Ward (not in shot)
Just before Stephens walked down the tunnel at St Mary’s, he again abused Ward by telling him: ‘You’re a c***.’
A statement issued by the Football Association on Tuesday read: ‘Jack Stephens has been given a two-match suspension and £50,000 fine for misconduct during Southampton’s Premier League match on Saturday 14 September against Manchester United.
‘The defender admitted that he used abusive and insulting words towards both the match referee and fourth official around the 79th minute after he had been sent off.’
Stephens had wrote in a letter to the FA Regulatory Commission: ‘I am well aware that what I said was completely unacceptable and below the standard of conduct expected of me.
‘I am very embarrassed by my behaviour and want to apologise sincerely for it.’
Having already missed his team’s games against Everton, Ipswich and Bournemouth, Stephens will now be unavailable for the upcoming clashes with Arsenal and Leicester.
